Flat Valve Adjustable Arch Support

ABSTRACT

A sophisticated air bladder that functions as an arch support of the foot that can be adjusted, a multitude of times as needed, by the user. The bladder is constructed so the air that provides the support is directed and corralled to the areas of the foot where support is typically needed and desired and will be maintained throughout weight bearing activities of the user. It is also versatile and can be used with any type of footwear, insole, orthotic or just a strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foot ailments and foot discomfort are a very common problem for almost every person at least some point in their life. Almost as often, these people will require or seek a solution to relieve their foot pain. There are many devices, medications or even contraptions that are over the counter or professionally prescribed for these problems and often do not provide the correct amount of support that is needed or desired to accomplish satisfactory relief. Another problem commonly encountered is the amount of support that is desired might change according to different factors, such as, type of activity one is doing, type of footwear or change in body weight, so, it is advantageous to have a support that can be adjusted a multitude of times. There are current devices that contain an adjustable air bladder for support but the air providing support moves within the bladder; away from where pressure is applied, upon movement of the foot during use. This invention offers an adjustable support that will maintain support in the desired areas according to the standard skeletal structure of the foot and the amount of support can be adjusted by the user according to his/her desire. This invention is a relatively simple solution for the user to customize the amount of support needed for optimal relief. This invention is an arch support that can be worn with or without a shoe and with any to of shoe gear, therefore, it is constructed to fit within the arch but also without any pronounced edges or protuberances, yet, strong enough to withstand the forces endured by the foot during the activities of daily living that people wish to pursue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A bi-layered air bladder that has a soft flat check valve. The valve is a thin, bi-layered, soft and flexible material welded together along the two long sides of the valve and open at each end. The air bladder is welded together around the outside except at the valve where each layer is sealed to its adjacent side of the valve. The overall shape of the air bladder is according to the shape of a human foot and in different sizes proportionately to different standard shoe sizes. Most importantly, the bladder is also welded at strategic areas within the bladder to manipulate where the air is directed and maintained within the bladder so as it is inflated the amount of support will be directed according to the typical skeletal structure of the human foot, but also, the air/support is sustained in these areas even while the foot is functioning with the user's weight bearing activities.

DRAWINGS Description of Drawings

FIG. 1. A bottom view of the invention placed on the foot where it will be used as a support.

FIG. 2. A top view of the invention showing where the air is directed within the bladder, when inflated. The lighter shade indicates more air, more support in that area. Therefore, the white area has the most support and the black areas are welded, thus no air.

FIG. 3. A cross section of the invention while inflated. Shows depression or narrowing in bladder because it is near a welded spot, thus, decreases support in this area and forces air to go medial to this where more support is desired.

FIG. 3A. A cross section of the invention showing the flat check valve is welded to the bladder.

FIG. 4. A side view of the invention placed under the skeletal structure of the arch of the human foot. There are three vertical lines (x, y and z) that are frontal plane cross sections that correlate with the respective cross sectional drawings.

FIG. 4A. The invention placed on the bottom of the foot with horizontal lines (x, y and z) that will correlate to the same cross section drawings that correlate with FIG. 4.

Figure x. A cross section near the posterior aspect of the arch with the inflated support showing the amount of support in this area when under the weight bearing foot. The amount of support desired here is less and achieved by welded areas and welded posterior border.

Figure y. A cross section at the middle area of the arch where the most air is directed, which is at the highest part of the arch, thus, more support is afforded. The drawing also shows that most of the support is toward the medial side of the foot which correlates with the human foot structure.

Figure z. A cross section of the foot towards the distal arch where, again less air is, as less support is needed because it is a lower part of the arch in structure. Less support is achieved due to the welded spots and welded anterior border.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This is an air bladder with two basic components: 1) the bladder, being made of a flexible and welded bi-layer fabric and 2) a check valve that is also a bi-layer of a thin flexible weldable material. The check valve is a flat bi-layered material in an elongated shape that is welded along each long side but not at each end in order for air to pass through as seen in FIG. 1. The bladder is a bi-layered flexible fabric and is shaped to fit and support the arch of the typical human foot structure. The plantar area of the foot that defines the arch, is typically and for this invention, the area at the sole of the foot that starts at the calcaneal tuberosity and extends to the five metatarsal heads, FIG. 1. Therefore, that is the general shape of the bladder since the bladder functions as the support when inflated. This bladder is a bi-layered fabric that is welded at the peripheral border except at the check valve. At the check valve, each layer of the bladder is welded to its adjacent layer of the check valve, FIG. 3, 3A. The valve will allow air into the bladder by pumping or forcing air through the elongated valve and into the bladder. However, after the air is forced into the bladder, the valve layers close upon themselves not allowing any back flow. So, the air will stay in the bladder until released by the user. The bladder is also welded in strategic areas in order to manipulate air placement when the bladder is inflated, FIG. 2. Since the amount of air is directly proportional to the amount of support afforded, these welded areas will direct the support where it is desired. To fit the arch of the human foot, more support or air placement is needed at the medial center of the arch, i.e. under the navicular and cuneiform area, FIGS. 4, 4A and y. Less support is needed at the lateral aspect of the foot and this is also accomplished by these welded areas. If the air bladder is one pouch without these welded areas, the air, or support, will move freely within the bladder, most likely away from where weight is applied, thus, losing support where it is needed during weight bearing activities. As stated, the amount of support can be adjusted as often as desired, therefore, must be able to release air and to reduce the amount of support. This is accomplished by inserting a long, narrow probe through the valve and air is released. When the probe is removed, the valve layers collapse on themselves creating a one way flow valve again.

Also, this invention does not have any pronounced edges and the soft, flat check valve allows it to be used with any type of footwear, foot support or strap. 

1. An air bladder that functions as an arch support with strategic welded areas within the bladder to direct the air within the bladder in order to provide and maintain the support to the areas typically desired according to the arch of the standard human foot.
 2. An orthopedic arch support of the foot that is adjustable by the user, that has an air bladder, and a flat, thin check valve without any pronounced edges or protuberances making the support compatible with the foot by itself, or, with any footwear, insole or arch support. 